Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Responsibilities
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster administers the estates and rents of the Duchy of Lancaster, and is a member of the Cabinet. After the Prime Minister, he is the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office.
Responsibilities include:
- oversight of all Cabinet Office policy and appointments
- oversight of constitutional policy and enhancement, defending democracy and electoral law
- devolution issues and strengthening the Union
- leading public services recovery from COVID-19
- leading cross-government and public sector transformation and efficiency
- oversight of cross-government work on veterans’ issues
- oversight of Cabinet Office responsibilities on National Security and resilience, and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, including COVID-19
- supporting the coordination of the cross-government and the devolution aspects of the response to COVID-19
- the GREAT campaign
Current role holder
The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP
The Rt Hon Michael Gove was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 24 July 2019. He was also appointed Minister for the Cabinet Office on 13 February 2020.
He was previously Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from June 2017 to July 2019. He was elected Conservative MP for Surrey Heath in 2005.
Education
Michael was educated at Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University.
Political career
Michael was Shadow Minister for Housing from 2005 to 2007 and Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010.
He served as Secretary of State for Education from May 2010 until July 2014. From July 2014 to May 2015, he served as Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. Michael also served as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice from May 2015 until 14 July 2016.
Career outside politics
Michael became a journalist after leaving university, working as a reporter for The Press and Journal in Aberdeen, a researcher and reporter at Scottish Television and a reporter for BBC Television. He was later Assistant Editor of The Times.
Personal life
Michael is married with 2 children.
Previous holders of this role
-
The Rt Hon David Lidington CBE
2018 to 2019
-
The Rt Hon Sir Patrick McLoughlin
2016 to 2018
-
The Rt Hon Oliver Letwin
2014 to 2016
Announcements
Subscriptions
- £200 million Port Infrastructure Fund opens for bids
- Government asks for views on Covid-19 certification
- UK Government to relocate over 1000 civil service jobs to Scotland
- Joint statement by the co-chairs of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: 24 February 2021
- Agenda of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee: 24 February 2021
- Government announces £20 million SME Brexit Support Fund
- Joint statement from Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Gove and Vice-President Šefčovič: 3 February 2021
- Brexit taskforce meets to ensure businesses get the support they need
- New curriculum and campus to improve Civil Service skills and expertise
- Traders must act now with border traffic expected to increase next week